"Did Robin Williams Have Open Heart Surgery Or Minimally Invasive Surgery?" Asks Marianna
Posted By Adam Pick On May 21, 2009 @ 9:53 am In Pictures | 12 Comments
Marianna just sent me an interesting question about Robin Williams and his recent, double heart valve surgery.
Her email reads, “Adam – I was recently diagnosed with a very narrow heart valve (severe aortic stenosis) [1]. I’m a 59-year old grandma that still has a lot of living – cooking and gardening in particular – to do. I’m researching the different types of surgery to replace my aortic valve [2]. Thanks to your blog, I’ve been reading up on Robin Williams’ surgery and recovery. I was just curious… Did he have open heart surgery or minimally invasive surgery? Thanks Marianna”
As the old saying goes, “A picture is worth 1,000 words.” So, here is a picture of Robin Williams’ chest about eight weeks after surgery.
From the image above, you can see that a chest incision (median sternotomy) [3] was used by Dr. Gillinov of The Cleveland Clinic [4] to replace the comedian’s aortic valve and repair his mitral valve [5].
After my double valve replacement surgery, I learned that this type of scar is referred to as a “zipper”. So, if you have had open heart surgery, you’re part of the Zipper Club. 
Keep on tickin!
Article printed from Adam's Heart Valve Surgery Blog: http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog
URL to article: http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/05/21/robin-williams-chest-scar-picture/
URLs in this post:
[1] a very narrow heart valve (severe aortic stenosis): http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/aortic-stenosis-valve-heart-narrowing.php
[2] replace my aortic valve: http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/aortic-valve-replacement-surgery.php
[3] chest incision (median sternotomy): http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/sternum-broken-pain-healing.php
[4] Dr. Gillinov of The Cleveland Clinic: http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/surgeons/dr-Marc-Gillinov-Cleveland-Ohio.php
[5] repair his mitral valve: http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/mitral-valve-repair-surgery.php
Click here to print.